Titleist Commercials - Pro V1/Pro V1x - Does Compression Matter?

I like the spin control of both Bridgestone RX and Callaway HEX Chrome. I find ProV's sometime ballon on me -- especially in the wind. The best overall ball for me now seems to be the Chrome. I also am hooked on yellow.

For years Titleist has been trying to tell people that the Pro V1 is the right ball for everyone.  This, "compression doesnt matter" campaign is just their latest attempt at trying to get hacks to play a more expensive ball.

In the past 2 seasons I have tried - Titleist Pro-v1 and Pro-v1x, NXT Tour, Callaway I(s) & I(z), Bridgestone E6 & E7 and Srixon Q-star. What I settled on, after trying them on a whim, are the Wilson Staff Fifty Elite's. 50 Compression balls which seem to produce a little extra distance for me. I like how they drop and stop (rather than spin back greatly) on full shots and I like the feel off the putter. YMMV.

P.S. As a bonus they are at about a buck a ball new but that was not a deciding factor in my decision to play them.

For what it is worth, I have been playing the PRO V1x pre-owned balls from Walmart. They work great. Last week I found an NXT Tour and decided to play it. If felt like the compression was softer and it had a lower sound to it when I hit it BUT it flew farther and straighter than the PRO V1x I have been playing with my driver. So in my opinion, I think compression DOES matter with driving distance. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricepr 

The pictures on the Titleist web site seem to show similar compression for all swing speeds. But i wonder if a very small compression difference (unlikely) or if a softer ball gives more compression and distance for mishits than a harder ball

Its called, "marketing".

This new marketing is definitely inconsistent with why they came out with the NXT-Tour S.  The "S" version of the NXT-Tour was supposed to be for players who preferred or needed a softer compression.  It is very interesting how they are claiming something to the contrary now, but I have a guess as to their angle.

Per SAGolfLuvr's comment on getting better results, it's likely does not have anything to do with compression (but it still could).  It's likely due to the spin.  If Golfer #1 has a driver swing speed of 105mph and has a slight fade or draw on the ball, he's probably looking at roughly 260 yard carry.  Take Golfer #2, with a driver swing speed of 105mph but has a major slice going on, there's no way he's going to carry the ball 260 (no matter where he aims) as the ball would have to travel much further to reach the same landing point.  So it makes perfect sense why people would get better results based on the spin (or dimple design) of the ball... (e.g. NXT-Tour flying straighter and farther then the Pro-V1).

However, compression can still matter for some people.  Anyone remember kickball from elementary school (or actually adult leagues now)?  Ever kick a kickball without enough air in it?  It actually goes a little farther if you apply a little less force to it.  Ever kick a kickball with too much air in it?  It doesn't go very far unless you're able to apply enough force to it.  In order for a ball (golf, kickball, soccer, football, tennis ball) to move, it needs a force applied to it.  There is an optimum force depending on compression of the ball.  If you have a swing speed of 95mph, you may not really notice too much difference, other than the feel.  But take someone who has a swing speed of 70mph, and I would bet a bit of money they will hit a lower compression ball farther than a tour ball (all other things constant).

So maybe what Titleist is getting at is if you're in the category that you don't notice a huge difference in the distance and spin is not an issue, then yes, you're probably better off with a scoring ball to save strokes around the green.  But, there is a reason they make balls for people with lower swing speeds and it is because compression can matter.  It's similar to a child's tennis racquet not being strung as tight and using lower compression balls... because they can't apply the necessary force to the ball.

I imagine I could be totally wrong on all of this, but it certainly makes logical sense when I reminisce about what I learned in physics way back in high school.

It would be interesting to see the actual results of their test to know which group they are basing their new marketing on.

I can only speak from personal experience but I have played the ProV1, ProV1X and last years NXT Tour on the same course and same holes this year.  What I find it there is very little difference in distance for me between any of the models.  But, there is a greater difference in spin for irons and wedges and ball flight.  There is a 150 yard par 3 at this course and I have used all three balls there with a 7-iron or 8-iron depending on conditions.  The NXT Tour would go the 150 yards in a mid height flight, bounce and roll out 20 feet.  The ProV1X would go the 150, bounce and check up after a small roll out of 5 feet.  The ProV1 will seem to rise a bit higher, bounce and check up immediately.  I like the last the best obviously.

ProV1 seems a bit more durable on the surface.  Small scuffs don't seem to affect flight at all.  ProV1X scuffs a bit easier I think.  NXT Tour (2011) is pretty durable too but not as good as the ProV1.  Unless the ball is really roughed up, I will keep using it.

For driver and long irons, I don't see much of an difference is accuracy.  Most mid Handicap players like me seem to fear too much spin on the driver.  Fairways are important.  But so is getting on the green.  Again, I am not the most accurate with the driver off the tee (my biggest weakness), but it is not worse with the ProV1.

I would recommend that if you lose a lot of balls, don't lay the ProV1 balls and stick with the NXT Tour S (2012) if you like the softer feel.  If you don't lose many, buy a sleeve of the ProV1 and see if you like it.

BTW, most Titliest balls (ProV1, etc) are made in Fairhaven, MA, USA.  Not sure if anyone else makes theirs in the US anymore.  It is important to me for what it is worth.